We Take Every Tick Bite Seriously!

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States, and here in New England, it’s something I see nearly every day in my practice. It’s caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (deer ticks).

You’ve probably heard of Lyme disease, but there’s still a lot of confusion about what it looks like, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatments actually help. For me, Lyme isn’t a side note, it’s been about 75% of my practice for the last 20 years. Roughly 7 out of every 10 patients I see are dealing with Lyme, and no two cases are the same.

In addition to Lyme disease, other Tick Borne Infections are commonly transmitted with a tick bite.  Anaplasma, Babesia and Bartonella are the most common co-infections  I see in my practice in at least 50% of the cases. More on these later.

How Do You Get Lyme Disease?

Ticks carrying Lyme hide in wooded areas, tall grasses, and even your backyard. The immature ticks, called nymphs, are so tiny (sometimes the size of a poppy seed) that most people never notice them.

Contrary to what you may have heard, fewer than half of people ever recall being bitten, and less than 50% develop the classic bull’s-eye rash. Many of my patients never saw a tick at all. That’s one reason Lyme can sneak up on you and be so hard to diagnose.

Early Signs and Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Headaches
• Flu like symptoms
• Joint pain and muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

If Lyme isn’t treated promptly, it can spread and affect multiple systems in your body, progressing to:

• Profound fatigue and disability
• Memory loss, insomnia, debilitating anxiety and depression, disorientation,
• Neurological symptoms – facial paralysis, numbness and tingling,
• Migratory joint pain
• Digestive issues – gas, bloating, diarrhea and constipation
• Mood changes such as anxiety or depression

Why is Diagnosis Lyme Disease So Challenging?

Lyme is called “The Great Imitator” because it mimics conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, MS, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. To make it harder, standard lab tests by some of the major labs, are only about 50% accurate. That’s why working with someone who has years of experience in tick-borne illness really matters.

Labs Matter

For testing, I often prefer using Igenex labs, which are more reliable than Quest or Labcorp when it comes to detecting tick-borne infections. Occasionally I may disagree with the lab results and do a “diagnostic trial” with an appropriate anti-microbial medication. Recently I remember sitting with a patient who had a negative lab result, report that they were feeling 80% better on treatment as we were looking at their negative lab result! I do however, prefer getting the most accurate labs possible to aid in accurate diagnosis, especially in a complex case.

Lyme Disease Treatment Options

Every patient is different, so my Lyme Disease treatment plans are tailored to your specific situation. Options may include:

• Antibiotics (short- or longer-term, depending on your case)
• Herbal protocols with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting botanicals
• Nutrition and lifestyle support to lower inflammation and strengthen your body
• Targeted supplements for total body and mind support
• Microbiome support and rehab
• Brain health support
• Hormone support (if needed)
• Mitochondrial support (if needed)

Some people feel better quickly on a simple targeted approach, while others (especially with long-standing Lyme and multiple co-infections) need a broader, more layered approach.

Healing from Lyme Disease with North Coast Health

Recovery takes time, and it’s not always a straight line. Many patients come to me after months, or even years of not having answers. But with the correct diagnosis and right combination of therapies, you can get better.

If you’ve been struggling with unexplained fatigue, pain, or neurological symptoms, Lyme disease and co infections may be part of your story. My job is to help you uncover the cause and get on the path to recovery. Contact North Coast Health, and start your healing journey today!